Reflections from the Western Pure Land: Professor Fang Dongmei

This is a record of an interview with the spirit of Professor Fang Dongmei, who sought deliverance at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia. He now resides in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This account reflects his observations from the Western Pure Land, recorded by the chief writer, Venerable HaiZe, on January 5, 2020.

Professor Fang Dongmei speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. I am Fang Dongmei. Practitioner Su, you have worked so hard! From my vantage point here in the Western Pure Land, I see everything with absolute clarity. If it were not for your unwavering perseverance, your steadfast commitment to the work of salvation, and your profound filial heart in carrying on the legacy of the Buddha’s teachings, the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre and the community of monastics we see today would not exist. The title of 'Practitioner Su' is one you have truly earned and deserve in every sense.

A Debt of Gratitude

Practitioner Su, I find it difficult to accept the title of 'Grandmaster' from you. Firstly, if you had not, back then at the site of the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre in Australia, delivered me from the ghost realm and guided me to the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, I would still be trapped by my attachment to my worldly achievements. I would still be clinging to my past teaching roles, and I would never have had this opportunity to reside here in the West. Secondly, my student, Venerable Master Chin Kung, once brought me such immense comfort. He took the propagation of the Pure Land teachings as his life's mission, inspiring many karmically connected beings to chant the name of the Buddha and make the vow to be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

The Sorrow of a Teacher

However, looking at the current situation, my heart is filled with sorrow. Among his followers and disciples, how many have truly attained rebirth in the Western Pure Land? Furthermore, the frail and aged state he now displays is certainly not the appearance one would expect of a monastic who has spent sixty years lecturing on the sutras. Venerable Master Chin Kung should be very clear about this in his own heart. Has he ever reflected on where the problem lies? He has left the necessary work of repenting undone, and as a result, he has allowed the signs of physical decay to manifest.

As his teacher, I truly do not wish to keep reminding Venerable Master Chin Kung of this, but I must ask: why is his body aging and failing? He once stated that those who truly practise and chant the name of the Buddha would not age or suffer from illness. Where is that promise now? If we look around today, who dares to uphold the words of Venerable Master Chin Kung regarding the absence of aging and illness, and who is truly propagating the great Dharma of the Pure Land? It is Practitioner Su! This is because Practitioner Su has followed the teachings of Venerable Master Chin Kung, step by step, honestly practising and chanting the name of the Buddha, and thus he has achieved the successful realisation of the Dharma Body!

The True Path of Practice

Through the deliverance of the Dharma Body and the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies, Practitioner Su has already saved immeasurable and boundless suffering spirits, leading them to rebirth in the Western Pure Land. One of these beings, Venerable Wufan, who was a disciple and attendant to Venerable Master Chin Kung, was also delivered to the Western Pure Land through the efforts of Practitioner Su. Venerable Master Chin Kung is aware of this. He should have taken pride in the achievement of his student, yet instead, he reacted with the opposite sentiment! This negative reaction led him to distance himself and even block others, causing many Dharma protectors and virtuous people of the Pure Land to turn away from Practitioner Su, thereby losing their own golden opportunity for rebirth in the Western Pure Land in this lifetime.

Practitioner Su’s realisation of his true nature is a beautiful achievement. As his teacher, Venerable Master Chin Kung should have protected him, allowing him to carry out his mission of saving the world without worry. Who would have expected Venerable Master Chin Kung to act in the opposite way, cutting off support and leaving Practitioner Su to stand alone in this world, walking the path of the Buddha with such caution and diligence, not daring to slacken for even a second? This is the true appearance of a practitioner. We here in the Western Pure Land see this situation and cannot help but applaud Practitioner Su’s mission to save the world! He has endured what others cannot endure and accomplished what others cannot accomplish. Practitioner Su has truly done it!

A Call to Repentance

Fortunately, we have received the compassionate response of Namo Amituofo, who now resides at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre. Through the Buddha’s words and the 'Explanations of the Buddha’s Teachings,' he helps teach the people of the world. Through the Buddha’s actions—with Namo Amituofo himself leading the Thrice Yearning Ceremonies—he guides sentient beings from the vastness of the Dharma Realm to rebirth in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. By aligning with the Buddha’s vows, he cultivates and assists the monastics and lay practitioners at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre to purify themselves, open up space, understand the suffering of sentient beings, and receive their messages. Coupled with the power of Practitioner Su, he resolves the suffering of karmic creditors and delivers them to the Western Pure Land. This ability is a natural manifestation that arises after purification, yet it is misunderstood by those who do not understand, who accuse him of 'using supernatural powers.' This is truly unjust! Could it be that Venerable Master Chin Kung is among those who misunderstand, which is why he now suffers from such a frail and sickly body? Do not blame me for speaking so bluntly; it is because I see the situation clearly, and I must speak the truth.

Venerable Master Chin Kung, as long as you have a breath left, it is not too late to turn back. The one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it; you must restore the reputation of Practitioner Su. I hope that Venerable Master Chin Kung will be able to see this message. If there are obstacles that prevent him from seeing it, then that is a matter of karmic affinity—without the affinity to see it, there is no fortune to receive it. Everything is within the Law of Cause, Condition, and Effect.

Practitioner Su, the people of the world do not know of your dedication to sentient beings or the great debt of gratitude they owe you for being sent to the Western Pure Land. But we, the many so-called monastics, lay practitioners, and famous figures here in the Western Pure Land who have been delivered by you, are all endlessly grateful. To be called 'Practitioner Su' is a title that is truly well-deserved! That the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre can have Namo Amituofo as its abbot, with Bodhisattvas Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta as the administrators, and with Skanda Bodhisattva, Sangharama Bodhisattva, and many external Bodhisattvas from the cosmos as Dharma protectors, is an honour that is truly earned.

The grace of the Buddha is difficult to repay! Here, I, Fang Dongmei, look forward to the day when the headquarters of the Pure Land School at the Hsiang Kuang Pure Land Buddhist Centre is established in this world, to save more connected beings and ensure that the Pure Land lineage continues to flourish and the sacred name of Namo Amituofo is propagated without end.

Namo Amituofo."

Fang Dongmei, speaking from the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Interview recorded by the disciple of the Buddha, Venerable HaiZe.